Irmela

Q 54. (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27) Why did Jesus give his disciples the Parables of the Talents and Minas? How are you using the "talents" Jesus has given you? What causes people to "bury" the talents they once used for the Lord? If it is not salvation itself, what is the reward for faithfulness? Why does God expect more of greatly gifted people? These parables teach us that we are to use what we have, in Christ's work, whatever we are capable of doing. (Being good stewards). Another reason could be to convey to the disciples, that there will be a delay in the coming of the Kingdom, because they were under the impression that it would be then. This "how" question is not very easy to answer. Whatever we do, we are to do for Him. Our ability or capability varies, as we get older or as our responsibilities change. Visits to an elderly relative, who has dementia, who no longer recognizes you, but who is delighted with visits at that time and promptly forgets that you have been there, five minutes later. That is using ones 'talent' but also doing what you feel Jesus would do. Filling your time sewing and knitting for some needy children, that is using ones talents. Doing what we can do. Praying for or interceding for the missionaries on the mission field, that is using ones talent. Not everyone is an intercessor. Those are all small ways those of us who are no longer as active as in by-gone years, can use the talents we have been entrusted with. Unfortunately fear, rejection and bitterness play a big role in the fact that talents once used for the Lord, are buried. It could also be be that the person strayed from following the Lord wholeheartedly due to **** or covetousness. The reward for faithfulness, will be to hear His, WELL DONE. 100% REMAINS 100% . If we use whatever has been entrusted to us to the best of our ability and have done it all for the LORD, then that is all that is and can be expected from us.

Q53. (John 13:4-17) In what way is Jesus washing the disciples' feet a parable? Why did this act of washing their feet feel so shocking to the disciples? In what sense is this a parable of cleansing? In what way is it a rebuke of pride and competition? In what way is it a parable of humble service? In what areas of your life do you need to implement its teaching? Lord make me like You. Please make me like You. You are a Servant. Make me one to. Oh Lord I am willing, do what You must do, To make me a like You Lord, Please make me like You. Please make me willing, please make me like You. I never thought of it as an acted out parable beforehand. It was what happened just before He was betrayed. His words and actions were clear. A parable is a story and this tells a story. It is far more than something that was done, something that transpired. It has a deep spiritual meaning. When bathing the whole body is cleansed. Coming to Christ for Salvation, is like coming for a spiritual bath. We are cleansed, washed because of the fact that His blood cleanses us. Then as in everyday life, we walk through the dust of the streets, our feet need washing again, just so, in the spiritual sense, we come into contact with the "dust of life", and somewhere along the line we hurt someone, we omit to do something, we don't transfer a message , a truth is hidden, a wrong word is spoken, etc., in plain English, we sin. Then we too need to confess that sin, bring it to the light and are washed clean. The disciples were shocked, because this task was done by a menial slave or servant. Here Jesus, the Teacher, the Messiah, is washing their feet. As mentioned before, we need cleansing when we have sinned. Just so our feet need washing when we have walked in the dust of the day. It was not one of the disciples washing the feet, but it was the Master, the Rabbi, the Teacher, The Greatest of them all, Who was taking on the role of a servant, the role of a slave and washing their feet. This sure pointed out that there was no room for pride and competition for place and position. The Lord showed that humility was the order of the day.

Q52. (Luke 11:5-10; 18:1-8) What is the similarity between Jesus' Parables of the Friend at Midnight and the Unjust Judge? What does this persistence look like in your life? What will persistence in prayer do to develop you as a disciple? They were both persistent requests. In both it seemed like the request would not be answered. Because of persistence both were answered. The friend would sooner ask for bread from another friend, than from a neighbor. If it was not for the strange hour, this request is quite reasonable. Being at midnight makes it strange and almost prepares the requester beforehand to in fact be persistent. The widow would also ask no one else for justice. The Unjust judge was the most logical person to go to. She knew beforehand that a request by her would not find favour. She prepared herself for persistence. Both won in the end. Lord Jesus You have seen the hearts of each and every one of the individuals on this Bible Study group. You know our requests. Be it parents longing for their children to come to You, be it requests for parents to turn to You. Be it friends praying for friends. I pray specially for Krissi and for her dad. Please dear Lord may he truly turn to You and may she and her loved ones find peace in the knowledge that You do have the situation in Your Hands. May she not give up. Thank You Jesus. I ask this all in Your Name. Amen.

Q51. (Matthew 7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13) Why did Jesus give His disciples the Parable of Asking a Father for Bread? What misconception was He seeking to correct? Just before this parable in, both Matthew and Luke, we find the verses: . . . . Ask and it shall be given to you, Seek and you shall find, Knock and the door will be opened unto you. . . . Jesus puts the questions to the crowd, "Which of you ..." . As human beings, when our children ask for sustenance (bread and fish), we give them sustenance and not something that will harm them. How much sooner will our Heavenly Father give us something that is good for us and not something harmful. I am sure that by this He was showing them that they can come to God and make their requests known to Him. God will supply what is good for us and not give us something harmful. Should we inadvertently ask for what seems to us as sustenance but is actually harmful (venomous as a scorpion or serpent) He will not give us that but will give us what we need at the time.

Q50. (Matthew 6:25-34) How does the Parable of the Birds and the Lilies teach us not to worry? What does Jesus teach about worrying about the future? Rather than worrying, what does Jesus instruct his disciples to do? What does obeying verse 33 look like in your life? The needs of the birds and the lilies are met without them needing to worry about them. Worrying about the future is unnecessary. God knows what we need. Worrying accomplishes nothing beneficial. You cannot lengthen your life by worrying. So worrying about the future is futile (you might not even be there). Jesus instructs them to rather seek His kingdom and His righteousness. God holds the future, I don't need to worry about it. HE IS IN CONTROL. KOMMT ZEIT KOMMT RAD!!!

Q49. (Luke 16:13) What are the very subtle ways that we can begin to serve Money rather than God? We can use what we earn to accumulate worldly goods, instead of first coming before the Lord and inquiring of Him, how we are to spend the money. If we do ask Him and follow His leading, we keep Him Lord of our life and not possessions or Money. How can we detect these temptations in our hearts? When accumulated things and money manipulate our actions and monopolize our thinking. When we no longer seek God for guidance, as to how to use the gifts He has graciously bestowed on us. Why did Jesus tell His disciples the Parable of the Two Masters? It was a theme or something that they knew and it would make sense to them. Some people did work for two masters and if the masters were not of the same mind and purpose, it was hard. The one would be more agreeable than the other. One master would end up being more favoured than the other. The Pharisees were often around and they, of all the people needed to come to grips with and letting go of, "serving Mammon". This was a warning to His disciples that they needed to see and understand that loving money was like loving one master above the other with disastrous results. They needed to choose correctly.

Q48. (Luke 12:16-21) Is being wealthy a sin for a Christian? No What was the rich man's actual sin or sinful attitude? He did not consider God at all. He was greedy in wanting to keep his riches all for himself. There was no thought of sharing even a small portion with the poor. So it was the love of riches that had caught up with him. Selfishness. How do you sometimes see greed in the people in your neighborhood or social circle? Christians aren't immune. In what ways might greed influence a Christian's behaviors and values? Being blind to the needs of others. Accruing wealth and not helping the poor and needy in any way. Not looking to God to fulfill His purpose in our life, with the gifts He has graciously bestowed on us.

The passage is from Luke 16 not Luke 6

Q47. (Luke 16:1-13) In what way is the dishonest steward supposed to be a positive example to disciples? He did not become depressed by the fact that he was being demoted, but thought beyond that, in how he would cope in the new situation. That was when he came up with the idea he had. The disciples are not to become dejected in their situations but are to think beyond that and find some way to cope with the less. Not being shrewd but wise, How does one "lay up treasures in heaven"? By doing deeds in the Name of the Lord, for those less fortunate than us. Not going about blowing one's trumpet because of it, but seeing a need and fulfilling that need. Why is the quality of our work of very small things so important to God? If we can be trusted with the small things in life, the things that are not very important, in the eyes of most people, then the possibility is great that we will also be trusted with more important things. God sees our actions and hidden attitudes as well. Nothing is hidden from Him. What is He waiting to see in us? Honesty and integrity. He wants to see that we can be trusted. What happens to people in the church who are promoted beyond their spiritual growth? They stagnate and fail. They try to live up to what is expected of them but it doesn't work. You cannot be successful in doing the work you are not capable of doing. It brings about disillusionment and failure.

Q46. (Matthew 7:15-20; Luke 6:43-45) From Jesus' images of wolves in sheep's clothing, good and bad fruit, and the treasure chest of the heart, how does He teach us to discern false leaders? Why is this so important in our churches? Why must we distinguish flawed Christian leaders from dangerous false prophets? We must be able to differentiate between those who are innocent and those who are in fact disguised as though innocent. The fruit in their lives should warn us. The fruit of the false leaders will be different to the fruit you would expect from someone in the position of leadership. The actions shown in difficult times will show if the person is genuine or not. The seemingly nice character of the person may hold good for a season, but will ultimately change if that is not the real person. The true character will eventually emerge. One will see through the disguise. Listen carefully to their teaching . It will be strange and somewhat perverted or twisted from what you're comfortable with. These people are rather influential and "tear" the church apart. "Flawed" Christian leaders are innocent in comparison to false leaders. If they are genuine and are approached in a loving way they will repent. They will seek help from God to overcome that weakness.

Q45. (John 6:53-58) What does the metaphor of "eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood," mean in practical terms? Jesus also said that He was the Bread of Life . Bread is the sustenance of life. To live spiritually, we are to feed on this Bread. So this to me means to feed on His flesh. To read His Word. To learn from Him, for that enables us to live. To become a partaker of His nature. To Drink His blood, (life is in the blood), to drink His Life. To become a part of Him. To extend the same metaphor, what do you think might be the difference between nibbling the Bread of Life rather than actually making a meal of it? To nibble something gives a picture of taking in small portions of something. As Robomom3 suggested, taking in a verse of Scripture here and there and being satisfied that that's enough. How does "eating His flesh" relate to abiding in Jesus? Abiding in Jesus would be staying in Him. Being part of Him. Feasting on Him, is not a one time occurrence, but a continual reading His Word and living accordingly. Why do you think Jesus uses this offensive analogy that resulted in many disciples leaving Him? It sure made those that only wanted the "nibbling of the crumbs" part, to leave and those that were genuine to continue with Him and draw even closer. Acknowledging as Peter did, You have the Words of Life.

Q44. (John 15:4-5) What does it mean "to abide"? To stay in a relation, to remain, to hold to, to tarry, to dwell, to live with, to lodge, to be intimately connected to, even receiving nourishment from. What does abiding have to do with "mutual indwelling"? It means agreeing to stay with or be with another and the other being with you. Not dwelling alone but agreeably staying or remaining with or living with another one, becoming a part of another, the sharing of a relationship. What does abiding have to do with a "personal relationship"? We no longer live, as though alone, but share what we do or say with Christ, as if it is Christ that does or say it. In this way it is personal. I with or in Him and He in me. What does Jesus mean when He says, "Apart from Me you can do nothing"? I am utterly dependent on Him. What is the value of things done without Christ? It has no lasting eternal value. What is the final end of things done without Christ? It will be burnt up, when tested with fire.

Q43. (John 15:1-3) How does skillful pruning increase the fruitfulness of a grapevine? How are we pruned or cleansed by exposure and obedience to Jesus' words? According to John 8:31-32, how does obeying Jesus' teaching bring cleansing and freedom from sin? The energy of the plant is not wasted on unfruitful or diseased branches if these are cut off before the new season of growth starts. It is focused on the fruitful ones, which have also undergone pruning. The reason for the pruning is that the vine does not grow wild and that there is enough sunlight for the plant. The harvesting of the grapes is also easier if it is not so clumped up together. So the purposes of the pruning is to stimulate growth, to shape the vine, protect against mildew (there is enough light on every area), and to produce maximum yield without breaking the branches, with too many clusters. If we read and hearken to the Word, that too will stimulate growth eg., we read in the Word to do all things without grumbling or complaining. If we act on this we change in ourselves and produce the fruit of joy. By so doing our lives are shaped into being more Christlike. Just so with other character traits. The old is pruned or cut off and new is produced. If we read the Word and act on it, we stay in the Light. If we then do sin, the Light will reveal this and then we learn from the Word that we are to confess our sins and He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thus the mildew (sin) is cut out of our life and not allowed to spread more. By abiding in His Word, we learn and know the Truth. The Truth will set us free. There is no double dealing, no hiding, no two-facedness, no hypocrisy. To abide in His Word, we obey His Word. Obeying His Word brings freedom from sin, as illustrated above with the example of the grumbling and complaining being exposed and then changing and bringing the fruit of Joy instead. By obeying His Word we repent and confess our sin, so we are cleansed (1 Corinthians 6:11) by the "washing of the Word".

Q42. (Luke 12:1; Matthew 16:11-12) Why is hypocrisy easy to detect in others, but difficult to detect in ourselves? Why is hypocrisy so deadly to spiritual growth? To witness? To obedience? To being a disciple? What is the antidote for hypocrisy? Hypocrisy = the assumption of moral standards to which one's own behaviour does not conform. duplicity deception falseness insincerity fakery Hypocrisy is not a very nice character-trait. It is not easy to acknowledge that something despicable is in us. It is a big flaw that in many ways, is covered up, but is bound to reveal itself sooner or later. Because of its despicable nature, hypocrisy is detectable in others and because we are so busy to try to hide the flaw in our character, we tend to see it in the next one rather than in ourselves. As some have mentioned: we see the spec in other's eyes and not the log in our own. Hypocrisy is a deadly trait in our life because it is deception, it is insincerity to the nth degree. If there is something false in your life. eg., living as being someone in one place and someone else in another place, you cannot grow closer to the Lord. There is falseness in you. We cannot expect someone to follow our example, if our actions do not tally with what we say. The antidote for hypocrisy is openness. When you have failed, you have sinned, confess it. Don't make as if it never happened. Be honest that you need help and cannot do "life" alone, you need help.

Q41. (Luke 14:7-11) Why do people push themselves forward? In one way, I think it is, so they are not left out. Also, so that they are noticed. The bottom line would be fear and pride. According to verse 11, what will happen to them? They will be abased or humbled if someone of importance has come and they are asked to take a different seat, to in fact give up their seating for someone else. Why is humility so important a lesson for Jesus' disciples? It is very important to stay humble, because very easily people put someone who is used of God in a mighty way, on a pedestal. If pride is a part of your character, you will easily fall for satan's ploy and become proud because of it. Whereas if you remain humble you will easier push that aside and give God the glory. Remember pride was satan's downfall. What is the danger to us, if we don't learn and internalize this lesson? That we become proud. We believe that we are the one's that are important. Eventually we try to turn the spotlight onto us and not on Jesus.

Q40. (Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17). According to Mark 10:13-16, what characteristic of children is necessary for salvation? What characteristic were the disciples showing in rebuking the parents? When arguing about who was greatest? .................. This is not a question or statement. Not too sure what was intended here. ................ Why is humility essential to repentance? To learning? To obedience? Why did Jesus give his disciples the saying of becoming like little children? Taking a moment and just reflecting on a child in general. Under normal circumstances a child will come as it is, not first make sure that it is clean, scrubbed and "presentable". It does not think so far as, "I have been playing in the sand and my hands might just be dirty." It just comes. Usually it will just leave what it is doing and wander off to the next item of interest. It does not think of danger. It usually desires to see something new close up. No real fear until the fear is instilled by someone. They are curious and will come to meet a stranger, just as they are. Usually sharing is normal. The weak and different are either pushed aside or carefully "mothered." Unfortunately sometimes the grown-up's attitude has already rubbed off on the children and they can be very unkind, even cruel, to the poor and the different in society. Very often the poor and the "have not's" also just want to see and touch, not necessarily take to keep. If left to themselves many times they will be accepted into the "circle" somehow. They adjust to the "different" and accept easier. They don't think before they act, they just ACT. Unfortunately I often experienced unkind treatment from other children, as a child. This has made me see humanity through clouded glasses, at times. These verses have troubled me somewhat. Over the years I have worked with many children and have had my own and so I am assuming that what is meant here is the fact that the children don't take any forethought , they just come and accept what they are told. They are innocent in their humility and striving to reach their goal. I would thus take the characteristic Mark refers to is: The desire to learn, to find out more. The openness of a child. The readiness to come as they are. I think the latter is very important for salvation, to come as we are. Unpolished. The dependence of a child. Absolute faith that God will meet my need. The disciples were being unkind to the parents and arrogant in their behaviour. They reflected the thought of the day , viz., that children were unimportant. When you are not humble your repentance is not genuine. To repent you need to accept the fact that you were wrong and this takes humility. When you are proud, this will block out any advise/teaching given to you from any source available. Obedience also takes humility. Repentance, learning and obedience steers one away from "I can by myself" concept, and actually brings one under the mercy of someone else. The disciples were striving to be the most important and coming dangerously close to thinking they "know it all". They needed to become as the children who desire to know more/ to learn more.

Q39. (Luke 18:9-14) Why do you think the Pharisee is so convinced of his righteousness? His so called prayer is full of his seemingly righteous deeds, and they are so different and above board in comparison to thieving, living an adulterous life and being openly unjust to his fellow-man. He is thus convinced that his deeds prove him to be righteous. What do you think are his actual sins? Pride and looking down on others. Also doing whatever he did, for man's approval, not for God's approval. What is so remarkable about the tax collector's prayer? The tax collector recognized his sinful state and acknowledged his need for mercy. He was not proud of it, but beat upon his chest. He was remorseful and recognized his need. Why is it easier to promote ourselves in front of others rather than humble ourselves? Why did Jesus tell this parable for His disciples? It is easy to hide pride in our charitable deeds. These are easier to be spoken highly of. In this way others become aware of us and our works are promoted. This way it seems like there is no pride , meanwhile we stink of pride. I do think Jesus was warning His disciples of this. These deeds are indeed necessary, but we need to remain humble at all cost. When our deeds are pointed out, we become more favourable to society, or notorious, but we become known in a positive or negative way. As we are human we prefer the positive, which often then leads to pride as man tends to put man on a pedestal, rather than giving the honour to God. Be warned, don't look down on others, for there BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD, GO I. !!!!!!!!

Q38. (Matthew 13:44-46). If you were to objectively assess your life, career, family, values, and possessions, is there anything more important, anything of greater value to you than your relationship with Jesus? No there isn't, may God help me not to have anything be more important. Jesus is my All in all. How would you objectively prove to a friend that Jesus is first in your life? A very good description has been given by t-c. My actions in word and deed, ought to reveal Jesus. When they don't, I need to search my actions and motives and repent from where I have deviated.

Q37. (Luke 9:23-24, etc.) What does it mean to take up your cross daily? What does this have to do with "losing your life for Me." What are the consequences in one's Christian walk if a disciple wants to take this step of commitment? How does this contrast with trying to save one's life? To take up one's cross daily means to be willing to die for Jesus at any time and any place. In any way. To lose our life or to die on this earth, then means living with Jesus in eternity. (For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.) This commitment is total. It is fully putting down self and taking on Christ. If you mean by that to disown Christ and thus save one's life, that is definitely not what one should do. Christ comes first. Come what may, we are to live for Him.

Q36. (Luke 14:25-32) Are Jesus' demands of His disciples too uncompromising? (unyielding) Are we too compromising (ready to reach an agreement) with the world's demands? What do you need to completely surrender so Jesus has all of you? Jesus is saying to us, come at all costs even if it means, losing relationships etc, He, Jesus has counted the cost and was willing to give up everything, for humanity to be saved. He does not expect of us, what He hasn't done Himself.

Q35. (Luke 9:57-62) What do these three analogies tell us about Jesus' requirements for His disciples? Why is Jesus so urgent? What was He seeking to teach would-be disciples about their priorities? They need to be serious about their commitment. They need to know and understand what their priorities are and live and act accordingly. Jesus comes first. Not only one day and not the next, but all the time. Live for Him. Jesus is urgent about this because there are many would be followers, who are actually fence sitters and want to follow for the excitement and the crowds, but they are not really serious about serving Him at all. Just interested in the good times. They can be a bad influence or a negative influence on the ones who are serious. Jesus wants us to keep our priorities right. Not be wobbly as a wave, and uncertain about Him.

Q34. (Luke 13:23-27) Beyond the message that few will be saved, what is the unique message of the Parable of the Narrow Door? Why must would-be disciples be aggressive in order to enter the Kingdom? What happens if we don't aggressively seek God? Why do you think Jesus told this parable to His disciples? The message is to reveal the fact that there is more to the concept of being a true follower than just "sign a paper, as to having made a decision to change". It is more than just a desire, a few tears and that's it. It is a doing (striving), a letting go of all that hinders us from living for the Lord Jesus. A repenting from a selfish lifestyle, a godless existence, and a putting aside of ones own desires and a striving to "let God". I understand this word aggressive to mean "be serious about" the decision, to seek God. It means being forceful and bold. That is what I understand by making a decision to seek and follow the Lord. If eventually you are not serious about seeking God and following/serving Him, you will loose out and the door will close. The opportunity to do so will end. Hard times were looming ahead, and some would not follow through with the path they had chosen. They would fall back during the persecutions that were soon to follow and overcome the followers of Jesus. Not just in that era. Throughout the times even till now there are those persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. Their have been many martyrs.

Q33. (Matthew 13:22) How do "thorns" prevent the Word of God from maturing in our lives? Worries of this life can consume a person. Depends on how we handle them. If they crop up and we hand them over to the Lord and genuinely let them go and TRUST Him to take care of them, then the thorny branch begins to disentangle. Riches and the Desire for other Things can easily deceive one into thinking that it will be easier to serve the Lord, if one has this or that. Meanwhile this and that can just be the start of the desire for more and more. Luring one into the "keeping up with the Jones's style of life. There is nothing wrong with riches in themselves, it is the love of riches that binds a person, which prevents the Word of God from being wanted to make a change in ones lifestyle. Pleasures in this life can consume one. The need to take part in this event, that party, that sports, that competition etc. This crowds out time for anything else. No alone time spent with the Lord in quiet. What is the difference between a genuine "disciple," follower or learner of Rabbi Jesus, and a person who holds a Christian belief system? A genuine disciple/follower/learner of Rabbi Jesus, will put everything aside and desire to spend time with Him. His lifestyle will portray Jesus. A person who holds a Christian belief system, will be a person with good morals etc but not one who has a personal relationship with Jesus. One will know Jesus whereas the other will know about Jesus. What can you do to clear your life of the thorns that prevent Christ's work from maturing in you? Spend time in the Word (seeing we still have the chance to do so), speak to the Lord about anything and everything, know Him in everything, worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. This way worries are drowned and not fed, desires are curbed and pleasure is found in serving Christ.

Q32. (Matthew 13:20-21) Why, according to the Parable of the Sower, do some people fall away so quickly? What is their problem? Unbelief . . . doubting Reading the responses brings many thoughts to mind. It is all well and good to say, they do not read the Word, or they fail to be grounded in the Word. What about the illiterate persons or where there is no Bible. I think of those in the Communistic countries who cannot even openly gather together around the Word. I personally have experienced not being free to openly read the Word. The Bible and any Christian books were hidden to not be thrown away or torn up. I do feel that if the response to someone having shared the Gospel is shallow then indeed they will fall away quickly, as testified by ROBOMOM3. I also believe that if there is a genuine desire to have a change of heart that, that person will grow with or without normal fellowship and reading of the Word. Talking to and waiting on the Lord is also important. Reading the Word is very important (I don't deny that). Believing and trusting Him, is what matters.

Q31. (John 10:6-15) Why does a true shepherd "lay down his life for the sheep"? Because of his LOVE. A true shepherd lives for his sheep. They are his. They are who he loves , who he is proud of. He cares for them, so that they are in good health, so that they learn how to be obedient. He knows that in the misty , foggy conditions, he can walk ahead with his stick, which he puts hard on the ground (so it can be heard) that he has taught his sheep to follow him. He also knows that his sheep are vulnerable. He is prepared, because of his love for them, to lay down his life for them. He gives up creature-comforts, to be with them. To keep them calm in harsh weather conditions, his presence is enough. His voice stills them. How did Jesus' do this for His disciples? For us? Jesus knew that the only way for humanity, to share eternal life with Him, a perfect sacrifice was needed. He was prepared to put aside His heavenly glory and take up life as man starts life. (a cell) Like that He grew to be born into a family; to live in a community where he was to be accepted by some, rejected by others; He learnt to accept instruction, guidance etc., from human parents/guardians; He was tempted to do wrong, yet He did not sin; etc. He was indeed the perfect man - the perfect SACRIFICE. He "laid down" His life for His disciples, for us. In what way did Jesus intend His disciples to learn that they, too, must be willing to lay down their lives for the sheep? Jesus intended us to recognize the need of fellow humans and be prepared to fulfill those needs, not only in food, clothing and maybe housing but also in giving of ones time. That is laying down ones life. Putting aside what is important for oneself and fulfilling someone else's need. Then too it was in fulfilling the work given to do viz., to teach others about Him. This could literally mean death for many. Can you think of any examples where Christ's servants have done this? We read of Stephen who was stoned for his faith. Tradition tells us that many of the first disciples were martyred. Today still, there are many who give their life in the Mission field and are martyred for their faith. Others accept Christ as Saviour and who are then thrown out by family and loved ones. They lay down their lives again for others to see and follow suit.